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Apply, renew or upgrade a water drilling licence

A water drilling licence is valid for 5 years in the Northern Territory (NT).

To apply for, upgrade, renew, transfer to an NT water drilling licence, or to work under the automatic mutual recognition (AMR) scheme, read below.

You should also read the requirements and responsibilities fact sheet PDF (1.6 MB).

Read more about water drilling licences.

To get a NT water bore drilling licence, you must have skills and knowledge that meet standards set by the National Driller Licensing System Agreement.

This is to make sure NT groundwater resources are protected.

Before submitting an application for a driller licence, you must:

To arrange an interview, call the Water Resources Division on 08 8999 4455. You must have the required number of statements of bore to get an interview.

To apply follow these steps.

Step 1. Fill in the form

You must fill in the form to apply for a drilling licence.

Step 2. Complete the Module A exam

To complete the Module A exam, you must:

  • answer questions about Northern Territory drilling laws
  • complete the statement of bore, including a composite bore log for the example provided.

Exam Module A (form S49) PDF (186.2 KB)
Exam Module A (form S49) DOCX (67.5 KB).

Step 3. Attach photos and supporting documents

With your application, you must attach:

  • Module A exam
  • 2 current passport photos
  • NUDLC examiners report
  • interview report
  • the relevant number of statements of bore signed by you and your supervisor for the class and each endorsement that you're applying for
    • minimum of 6 statements of bore per endorsement is required for a new licence or a new endorsement.

To support your application, you can supply referee reports and course certificates.

Step 4. Submit application

Submit your form, photos and supporting documents by email to water.licensing@nt.gov.au.

To renew your NT water bore drilling licence, you must apply at least one month before the expiry date of your licence.

You can do this by following the below steps:

Step 1. Fill in the:

Step 2. Attach 2 current passport photos.

Step 3. Submit your form by email to water.licensing@nt.gov.au.

To apply for an interstate conversion, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in form

You must fill in the:

Step 2. Complete the Module A exam

With your form, you must also fill in and attach the Module A exam, which requires you to:

  • answer a series of questions
  • complete the statement of bore including a composite bore log for the example provided.

Exam Module A (form S49) DOCX (67.5 KB)

Exam Module A (form S49) PDF (186.2 KB).

Step 3. Attach photos and supporting documents

Attach 2 current passport photos with your form and exam.

Step 4. Submit application

Submit your form by email to water.licensing@nt.gov.au with:

  • the Module A exam including the statement of bore and composite bore log
  • your 2 passport photos.

Water bore drillers who hold a licence in all states, except Queensland, can apply to work in the NT under the AMR scheme.

Find out how to register your licence under the AMR scheme.

Water drilling